Reviews: Preschool to Grade 4

Gr 1–3—The first retelling is true to the original poignant tale of hunger, cold, and the death of the young girl selling matches on the street. Lavreys's fanciful acrylic paintings soften Andersen's indictment of an indifferent society that allows such poverty and misery to exist. The resignation and calm on the girl's face capture her sadness, as does the artist's palette of soft colors. Bright colors, collage elements, and whimsical landscapes suit Little Red Riding Hood. The girl's coat is a collage of faint words, and she follows a path strewn with vowels through the sun-lit woods. A sinister wolf is coiled around a slanting tree and distracts the child long enough for him to arrive first at Grandma's cottage. This springtime version makes an interesting contrast to Jerry Pinkney's Little Red Riding Hood (Little, Brown, 2007), which takes place in winter. Lavreys's fanciful folk art expands the way young readers and listeners will see this familiar tale.—Mary Jean Smith, Southside Elementary School, Lebanon, TN

K-Gr 2—Eldon and Petunia live in a sty on the castle grounds. As they watch the royal carriage pass by, he dreams of living the princely life because "…princes live in luxury, and they always get the girl. What's not to like about that?" Fairy Miranda appears and says she can break Eldon's spell. All he has to do is kiss his true love. He is thrilled; Petunia is skeptical. As the porker sets off to find his true love, she follows behind. He tries to sneak a kiss from cinder girl Ella, Lady Aurora at the spinning wheel, and Mother Goose herself. In all cases, his advances are badly received. As he's looking at his reflection in the lake and bemoaning his fate, he doesn't see Petunia sneaking up behind him. Her kiss startles him and he falls into the mud hole. When he asks what that was for, she responds, "You just don't get it, do you?" It takes him a while, but he does get it and ventures back to the sty where Petunia is waiting. Fairy Miranda, it turns out, was looking for a frog, not a hog. The large acrylic illustrations are perfect for the story. The animal faces are expressive and the backgrounds are lush. This is a great read-aloud that cheerfully fractures many fairy tales all at once.—Ieva Bates, Ann Arbor District Library, MI

K-Gr 3—In this story set before Kenneth Grahame's Wind in the Willows, Badger introduces Ratty and Toady. On their first meeting, they do not get along, but the situation changes after the three defeat a group of weasels that are trying to steal Badger's carnival tickets. In the introduction to the book, Uncle Ratty's great-great-niece Rose Bud explains in a letter to readers how she found her uncle's diaries. The story is illustrated with attractive old-fashioned watercolor and pastel paintings and ornamental borders. Endpapers feature a decorative local map of the countryside where Toady, Badger, and Ratty live. Unfortunately, the book lacks the charm of the classic.—Marilyn Ackerman, Brooklyn Public Library, NY

PreS-Gr 1—As every parent and teacher knows, little kids giggle over rear ends-and Chicken Cheeks is sure to keep them laughing. It features the hind quarters of animals, complete with silly names for them, from beginning to—well—end: "rhinoceros rump," "penguin patootie," "polar bear derriere," "turkey tushy." The close-up, color-saturated illustrations—which are at the same time obviously hilarious and sneakily deadpan—tell a story. A brown bear stands poised atop a ladder, gazing thoughtfully up the skinny trunk of a tall, branch-free tree. He grabs a duck and sets it on his head. As he does, readers get an eyeful of the duck's rear; the accompanying text merely says "duck tail." Somehow a huge moose finds itself perched on top of the duck's head: "moose caboose." When a chicken precariously clasps the moose's antlers and proceeds to lay an egg on its nose, only the bear is smiling. Credibility is suspended by the time the moose sits on the duck without squashing it. Sixteen animals later, children can only laugh helplessly at the absurd ladder of animals balanced parallel to the tree trunk. By then they're able to see what the bear was trying to do-and how it backfires. Filled with visual jokes and amusing details, Chicken Cheeks is a lot more than a list of words for kids to snicker at.—Susan Weitz, formerly at Spencer-Van Etten School District, Spencer, NY

PreS-Gr 3—Even readers who don't share their bed with a half dozen dogs will love this charming story about a family and their unusual sleeping arrangements. As bedtime begins (appropriately after storytime) everyone—Mom, Dad, two kids, and six dogs—falls asleep in the same big bed. Throughout the night, the pets do what they do best: sleep sideways, bark at things no one else can hear, and whine to go out, and then in (and then out, and then in, etc.). In the end, they are rearranged into more manageable groupings, and finally canines and people alike get some much-needed sleep. The exuberant, rhyming text delights the ear as the hilarious illustrations engage the eye in this kid- and dog-friendly tale. Fun for sharing with a group or one-on-one.—Piper Nyman, Brookmeade Elementary School, Nashville, TN

Gr 2–3—Fun-loving and adventurous Benny Bensky is back. Here, the frisky pup, 10-year-old Rosie, and her pal Fran are in charge of Mrs. Graham's parrot while the woman is away. The responsible girls immediately take to this job, inviting Peanut to be an "honorary detective"—part of the Rosie, Benny, Fran team. Benny is not happy with Peanut's new status, and he is jealous because the girls are so wild about this bird. Then Peanut goes missing, and Benny begins to wonder if he and the girls can use their detective skills to nab the suspect parrot-napper before Mrs. Graham returns. Beginning chapter-book readers will thoroughly enjoy Benny as he reveals his innermost thoughts and carries out some hilarious acts. Once again, he proves his worth when he devises a special way to reveal the location of the parrot. This is nonstop fun for readers who enjoy pets, humor, mystery and short novels about friendship. Occasional black-and-white drawings capture the humor and characters' antics.—Andrea Tarr, Corona Public Library, CA

Gr 2–4—Pete is a predictable and practical pig. One stormy night, his world is turned upside down when he encounters Pickles, an elephant on the lam from the circus, in his room. Pickles is anything but predictable, yet Pete finds himself drawn to her, and the two become unlikely friends. The relationship hits a snag when Pickles treads too far, and Pete makes a decision that ends up endangering both of their lives. This heartwarming tale is packed with adventure, imagination, and the all-important message of accepting differences. The illustrations alternate from naturalistic renderings of fantastical scenarios to flat compositions reminiscent of traditional comic strips. In the former, Pete and Pickles seem to pop off the page in the lush landscapes, and it is in these pages that the story soars. Less-discerning readers may miss plot points expressed in the drawings but not in the text. Great for sharing one-on-one or for reading aloud.—Beth Cuddy, Seward Elementary School, Auburn, NY

K-Gr 2—This picture book has the tone of a Jewish folktale. Schmuel's life is ruled by time from the second he is born. Learning his father's trade, he becomes a tailor and works long hours, never having time to sew a white dress for a girl he once knew. Forty-one years later, he is still alone and stitching into the night when the large clock in his shop tells him to stop everything and sew the long-ago-requested dress, promising him happiness if he does. Grumbling, Schmuel discovers that as he creates the dress, time on the clock ticks backward. Was that dress the one worn by the girl in Odessa who married a young man named Schmuel? A smiling clock holds the answer. At times the rhythm of the text changes and the rhyme disappears, and the effect is a disjointed story that is difficult to read aloud. The illustrations aptly depict Schmuel as he grows from a baby to a middle-aged man. GrandPré's swirling style captures scenes of light and dark, with attention to the changing seasons and the patterns of the various fabrics in the shop, reinforcing a sense of fantasy. Although there are some nice touches, this predictable story is for larger collections only.—Martha Simpson, Stratford Library Association, CT

PreS-K—Four children wake up with the sun shining brightly into their window. But before they leave their beds, the birds, horses, squirrels, and other creatures have already started their day. In this newly illustrated edition, originally published in 1952 (HarperCollins), Katz has reinterpreted the text in her warm and rounded style. Babies, animals, and even the bumblebees have circular faces with small features matching the simplicity of the narrative. Brightly colored patterns and use of collage add interest to each page. This book has been popular over the years. Refresh collections as needed.—Blair Christolon, Prince William Public Library System, Manassas, VA

K-Gr 3—Tension builds as a feline predator, often hiding in plain sight, stalks two mice. Children will appreciate the efforts of cautious Billy, who repeatedly attempts to alert his older sibling, Bo, of their imminent danger. Happily, the mice make a narrow escape even as the ever-oblivious Bo cautions Billy, "If you ever see a cat, you must tell me AT ONCE." Muted watercolors in various hues of brown and blue depict the world of a gloomy old manor full of spooky surprises. Lift-the-flaps offer plenty of opportunity to explore these detail-laden pages. Brown plays with scale, sometimes showing the entire cat hidden in a corner; on other pages, readers see just a hint of an oversize tail, or a large gleaming eye from behind a cabinet door. The spare prose and large pictures make this good for sharing.—Madigan McGillicuddy, Los Angeles Public Library

PreS-Gr 1—We all know children who love to imagine themselves as superheroes-and with this sprightly story about Annie Grace (aka Adventure Girl), readers can find a heroine with whom to identify. When Adventure Girl's mom is called back to work to find a misplaced report instead of the two of them spending the day together, she takes her daughter along, instructing her to sit and wait. But Adventure Girl has other ideas and stalks the wilds of the quiet workplace determined to find the file. In a great "rescue," she spots the errant folder under a desk and saves the day. The charm of this story lies not only in depicting the fun that kids have at parents' workplaces but also in portraying Adventure Girl as cheerfully undaunted by changes in plans and parental admonitions. The bright, full-color pencil and watercolor pictures are set against ample white space and show the warm relationship between mother and daughter. This is an office adventure that children will want to experience and a heroine they'll love meeting.—Marge Loch-Wouters, Menasha Public Library, WI

Gr 2–4—A story set in Cape Breton in the 1940s. When the day comes that Savino must join his father in the coal mines, he is eager to go, knowing that he will get to see Nelson, the clever, half-blind pit pony that he helped his father pick out two years earlier. On their first day "in the deeps," Nelson comes to the rescue when Savino loses his way, and, in turn, the boy brings the pony to the surface to experience sunshine and fresh air during the miners' first paid holiday. Striking oil paintings in shadowy tones—sepia, brown, gray—are punctuated by the bold lines of the cart tracks and shaft supports that lead Savino into the depths and readers deeper into the story. Neither the illustrations nor the text explains exactly what happens—or nearly happens—when Savino's lamp goes out. While the boy's moment of panic and the unpredictability of even routine actions may be realistic, it makes for a confusing and unsatisfying episode. Still, the child's devotion to the pony, his father, and his dangerous responsibility will have emotional resonance with children. A short historical note gives context to the story.—Madeline Walton-Hadlock, San Jose Public Library, CA

K-Gr 2—Best friends Cork the muskrat and Fuzz the possum ("kind of the same, but different") continue their adventures when Fuzz finds Cork's new green stone, recently lost, and wants to keep it. They argue, but reconcile when a chipmunk makes off with the coveted item. This addition to the series maintains the characters' personalities as well as the authenticity of the friendship—like real children, they have to compromise and think the best of one another if they are to retain their relationship. McCue continues to give these characters a variety of expressions and convincing body language while remaining true to their animal natures. A welcome addition to easy-reader collections.—Lisa Egly Lehmuller, St. Patrick's Catholic School, Charlotte, NC

PreS-Gr 1—Marjorie, the bovine heroine of The Cow That Laid an Egg (HarperCollins, 2008), is back, and she's determined to enter her daughter, the mooing chick, in the barnyard beautiful baby contest. The only trouble is that the contest is strictly for cows. Daisy causes a ruckus when she slurps a worm off the judge's hat, earning her mother lots of derisive laughter, but Marjorie stops everyone cold with a simple declaration: "Daisy might not be like your babies—but she's mine, and I love her!" She wins the award for best mom and a smooch from Derek the bull. Ayto's busy cartoon illustrations match the off-kilter humor of the story. Though the climax lacks the punch of the first book, the heartfelt message and silly, big-eyed characters still provide plenty of appeal.—Kathleen Kelly MacMillan, Carroll County Public Library, MD

K-Gr 2—First introduced in Little Polar Bear (NorthSouth, 1987), the sweet cub is back in this ninth book in the series. Lars is excited that spring has finally arrived and on his walk along the big bay, he meets up with a group of belugas. He and the whales have a wonderful time swimming and playing until a ship comes into the bay in pursuit of a giant sperm whale. Realizing that they are in danger, Lars helps his friends elude the hunters. When the men leave, the friends discover they have a new problem. Hiding behind the glaciers saved them from the poachers but the warm spring air has caused large chunks of ice to fall into the water, and the exit is now blocked. Working together, the friends free themselves and promise to meet again soon. Full-page color illustrations with special attention to facial expressions enhance the text. Little Bear's fans are sure to enjoy this appealing addition.—Michele Sealander, Hamburg School, NJ

K-Gr 2—Emma's dog is lovable, but his misbehavior is a serious problem. Using a predictable pattern to tell the story, Demas relates Toby's antics each day of the week and his experiences at dog-training school. Then, in a leap from reality to fantasy, Toby demonstrates that he is a good dog by baking bread, vacuuming the rug, and folding the laundry, among other household jobs. The ending, however, shows that the pup has not given up all of his old ways. The story is great for reading aloud, but the many humorous details in the cartoon-style illustrations make it fun for individual reading as well. Text, illustration, and design all work together to create a delightful story.—Marilyn Ackerman, Brooklyn Public Library, NY

PreS-Gr 1—This simple narrative introduces St. Francis to a younger audience than dePaola's Francis: The Poor Man of Assisi (Holiday House, 1982). Francis, the "Little Poor One," is lonely and has no one to hear his song about God's love. An angel tells him to sing anyway and soon Francis's song draws Brother Sun and Sister Moon, and the angels and birds come to listen. dePaola's tropical-hued collages convey the magic of this religious interpretation in an appealing way. Particularly charming are the cherubic angels and beatific faces of the sun and moon. Preschoolers will be drawn to the spread depicting a rainbow of birds flocking to St. Francis. A joyful addition to public and religious collections.—Jayne Damron, Farmington Community Library, MI

PreS-Gr 2—Under Jo-Jo's bed lurks a "tiny speck of a monster" with a "big empty feeling." This endearingly unscary creature discovers a taste for darkness and eats up even the dimmest corners of the room. Growing bigger with each feast, he devours the darkness in attics and chimneys before moving on to caves and volcanoes. When the creature stops his feeding frenzy, he realizes that his insatiable hunger has created a "lonely planet" with "no shadows and hardly any dreams." Jo-Jo, who is normally afraid of the dark, can't fall asleep in the endless daylight. As the compassionate monster cradles the little boy in his arms and soothes him with a lullaby, the evening shades return. Liao's digitally enhanced pen and watercolor illustrations humorously capture the mayhem caused by lack of darkness, such as owls falling out of treetops and bats hanging right side up. A clever twist on a perennial bedtime theme.—Linda Ludke, London Public Library, Ontario, Canada

Gr 1–4—In this successor to Nikki & Deja (Clarion, 2008), Deja looks forward to her eighth birthday party. While her father's absence has taken its toll, she hopes that he will come to the celebration. A few days before the event, Auntie Dee unexpectedly leaves for a business trip, and Deja must stay with their neighbor Miss Ida, who serves turnips and has a black-and-white TV. At school, Deja learns that her "nemesis," as Miss Ida calls Antonia, intends to hold an extravagant "Just Because" bash that will coincide with Deja's more modest plans. Deja worries that their classmates will choose to go to Antonia's party. Thankfully, her friend Nikki provides constant support, and Auntie Dee's return results in clarity and perspective. The narrative is a bit contrived, although it is realistic that there is no resolution of Deja's longing for her father. Early chapter-book readers will relate to the protagonist's authentic emotions as English acknowledges the challenges and complexities of classroom life.—Meg Smith, Cumberland County Public Library, Fayetteville, NC

K-Gr 3—Fisher takes techniques from video and digital media to explain a scientific concept. The book opens on the stage of a cooking show whose hosts, Snow White, Jack Frost, and a snowman named Chef Kelvin, use the cooking metaphor to teach the audience how snow is made. Snippets of text appear, recipe fashion, on each spread and deconstruct the processes of evaporation, deposition, application of heat (or cold), and precipitation. The visually dynamic, digitally created art features lettering that helps tell the story. For example, the word "water" spills from a measuring cup and looks, well, wet. Fisher includes collage, dialogue asides, arrows, onomatopoeic descriptors, and fact boxes, yet maintains clarity, cohesion, and purpose. Snow Show will be a hit with teachers who need to get a point across and with youngsters who are used to the visual stimulus of a screen.—Lisa Egly Lehmuller, St. Patrick's Catholic School, Charlotte, NC

PreS Up—Gaiman and Vess worked together on Stardust (HarperCollins, 2000), the award-winning fantasy that became a film in 2007. One can count on them for a fresh approach to the conventions of a genre. This New Age "prayer" for a yet-to-be-born child is no exception, although the combination of a picture-book format with concepts that require adult understanding may cause confusion or boredom in youngsters ("Keep her from…./Nightmares at three or bad husbands at thirty,/…. Dull days at forty, false friends at fifteen-"). Visually, the book also struggles with a split personality. One scene, in which animals peer at a girl in jeans and dreadlocks, is rendered in watercolor, defined by clean outlines, for a contemporary, realistic look. Another view of naked babies sleeping in flower petals is created with a hazy focus, calling to mind Jessie Willcox Smith or Elsa Beskow's Peter in Blueberry Land (Floris, 1988). The dedication indicates that this poem was written for a pregnant friend; it seeks to ward off all sorts of fairy-tale trouble: "Ladies of light and ladies of darkness and ladies of never-you-mind…. Keep her from spindles and sleeps at sixteen/Let her stay waking and wise." The "ladies" are draped in clouds and cloaks, sunsets and rainbows. The racial characteristics, hair color, and age of the girl change from page to page, presumably for an "everygirl" effect. This may resonate with people purchasing baby presents, as Seuss's Oh, the Places You'll Go! (Random, 1990) strikes a chord at graduation. The card, however, should read "Mother."—Wendy Lukehart, Washington DC Public Library

K-Gr 2—Shopping for shoes, a little girl knows that her mother will pick the practical, very dull, lace-ups. Even the palette that Spires uses is dark and drab, and the child's body language screams disappointment. But when she gets to the store, she sees the most wonderful pair of red shoes and wants them more than anything. "The red shoes are happy apples, waiting to be picked," the text reads. But moms don't tend to give in easily, and the youngster tries on dreary shoe after shoe after shoe. In the end, the bored clerk brings out the red shoes and the girl virtually flies through the air with delight. Mother and daughter have a special moment at tucking-in time, and readers see the little girl with the red shoes sticking out from under the covers. This sweet story will appeal to little girls who count shoes as something very important indeed.—Joan Kindig, James Madison University, Harrisonburg, VA

K-Gr 2—This homage to and entreaty for thankfulness introduces Daisy, who is inspired by her parents' example and tries to think of things she, too, can be thankful for. In her preface, Gold informs readers that she ministers to adults who find a similar thankfulness exercise to be a spiritual benefit. Young children, however, are concrete thinkers who can only be thankful for tangible things and are moved most by stories they can relate to; Daisy's list of watered-down and abstract gifts—her loved ones, God's creation, diversity, and His unending presence—don't move beyond the page into personal experience. Halperin uses pencil and oil on canvas to illustrate the child's thought process, and while the pictures are interesting to look at, her challenge—to draw a concept—often proves too great. Thankful to God for the "breath of life," Daisy sits beneath a mural of noses, beaks, and snouts, as Halperin attempts some connection between the two "breaths." The attractive package can't overcome this effort's inherent weaknesses.—Lisa Egly Lehmuller, St. Patrick's Catholic School, Charlotte, NC

Gr 1–3—Sharply focused full-color photographs are the media of choice for this combination I-spy/storybook. On Little Pond Farm, seven hens must share three nesting boxes. White-feathered Tillie, however, not being one to follow the crowd, prefers using a variety of places to lay her eggs—the garden, the front porch, the kitchen, and even the laundry basket—all of which offer culinary treats superior to the barnyard corn. Individual tableaux are well set, and the sprightly chickens (all with names and individual portraits) peek into the margins, adding interest. Brief text describes Tillie's meanderings followed by the quote "Where has Tillie laid her egg?" involving youngsters in the search. At story's end, the open door of a bright red pickup truck reveals that she has found another unusual spot to lay an egg. Fink's photos serve the text well, inviting visual explorations as his camera follows Tillie around the farmyard, into the house, and back to the nesting box.—Barbara Elleman, Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art, Amherst, MA

PreS-K—This is the story of a drake who is feeling left out. "All the birds had laid an egg. All except for Duck." When he finds a huge, green-spotted egg, he loves it right away. Sitting high atop it—so high that he barely fits into the picture—he is subjected to the taunts of the egg layers: "Not pretty." "It'll never hatch!" "Ha ha!" Gravett uses narrow pages that gradually increase in size to reveal all of the other eggs hatching, from the smallest chick to the tallest flamingo. While the moms cuddle their new hatchlings, Duck waits—and waits. Leaning against the large egg, he knits up a storm until "Creak Crack, SNAP": out pops an enormous alligator, scaring all of the scoffing birds right off the page. The final, priceless illustration shows an adoring alligator marching—in four knitted slippers and a muffler—behind Duck, murmuring, "Mama." There are many aspects of the story that make it worth adding to the what-have-I-hatched collection. First, it's so simple that toddlers can enjoy it. Second, the layout is unique and well suited to the plot. Third, the illustrations are a joy to behold: funny, personable, and oh-so-eye-catching. The ecru background on every page is a nice touch, lending the book a little extra cachet. Kids will love cracking the pages of this exceptional story.—Susan Weitz, formerly at Spencer-Van Etten School District, Spencer, NY

K-Gr 3—There's something amiss in the forest, as branches are mysteriously disappearing. At first, the animal friends accuse one another but when alibis pan out, they realize that they have a thief on their hands. Setting out to solve the mystery, they discover that the bear has been stealing branches and making them into not-very-good paper airplanes for a competition. After a short trial, he confesses and agrees to replant the trees he has destroyed, and the other critters help him reuse the wasted paper to create a prizewinning entry. Managed forestry is the theme of this book that features folk-art-style animals with funny little stick legs. The mixed-media illustrations nicely complement the spare yet eloquent text. Though this clever title may need hand-selling to readers, teachers will welcome it for lessons on the environment.—Angela J. Reynolds, Annapolis Valley Regional Library, Bridgetown, NS, Canada

K-Gr 3—Wealthy Ojiisan suffers a feeling of foreboding as he watches colorful rice festival celebrations from his cottage high above his village by the sea. In his mountaintop home, he feels a spongy earthquake and observes bizarre movements in the sea: tsunami! How can Ojiisan alert the townspeople? Young uses a panoply of papers to create collages that tell the story of a sacrifice that saved hundreds of lives. Patterned and marbled papers, fibrous grass cloth, translucent rice paper and tissue, photographic magazine papers, and even corrugated cardboard are keenly cut, roughly torn, layered, wrinkled, mounted, and manipulated to produce images that range from dead calm to the sea-spittled tumult of a roiling vortex that promises to consume everything in its path. The art reflects the frenzy of the events and is a departure from the more serene, controlled, and balanced work we know of Young. Kajikawa has based the character of Ojiisan on Japanese hero Hamaguchi Gohei, who in 1854 set his own rice-stack harvest ablaze, diverting the attention of revelers and drawing them away from impending disaster. A simple story of the power of a simple act.—Kathy Krasniewicz, Perrot Library, Old Greenwich, CT

PreS-Gr 2—What this story lacks in originality it more than compensates for with a high cuteness factor. The kid-friendly song is performed on an accompanying CD by Julius La Rosa, who originally recorded it in 1954, on one track, and by the London Crouch End Festival Chorus on the second track. It tells the tale of a little bell whose small sound wins out over the large bell's loud—but annoying—gong. In the Kitten Kingdom, called "Calvinopolis," the larger bell thinks his sound is decidedly superior. But many in the kingdom and, most importantly, the King, disagree. The big bell gave him a headache on the day he was crowned, so he commands the little bell to play on his wedding day. The lesson? "Those who make the biggest noise/Aren't always as important as they think." The lush, ornate illustrations give this simple tale a classic feel and are filled with details young readers will pore over. This works best as a book/CD kit, since the song is charming and the pace fits perfectly with the turning pages.—Jane Marino, Bronxville Public Library, NY

PreS-K—In this successor to Princess Baby (Random, 2008), the feisty, independent-minded heroine is asked various questions during her preparations for bedtime. "Princess Baby, did you pick up all your toys?" "Yes, I picked them up," she responds, and is shown cuddling all of her stuffed animals at once. Although Princess Baby protests that she is not tired, a satisfying conclusion shows her asleep on the floor after reading books to her stuffed animals and tucking them in. As in the earlier title, fuchsia and other rosy tones dominate the illustrations. Purchase if the first book has a following.—Blair Christolon, Prince William Public Library System, Manassas, VA

K-Gr 2—"Not so long ago, when the world was a gentler place and people were more easily pleased, there lived some plain folk whose small village hugged the shores of a north woods lake." From this rather didactic beginning, the author relates how these simple villagers tended their gardens in the spring, summer, and fall, but sometimes the long, cold winter made them gloomy and restless. One day, the children awaken to find all the adults building snowpeople. Working together, they surround their lake with snow statues in a variety of sizes and poses. Word of the attraction spreads and Snowpeople Lake soon becomes a tourist attraction. The villagers invite the visitors to stay and share their camaraderie, and everyone is happy. But when the weather turns warmer, some visitors are upset to have traveled so far to find that the statues are melting. One grandmother responds with an overly long and earnest speech explaining that the true spirit of the snowpeople is related to the seasons of life. The villagers and those who understand continue on with their chores and return to celebrate the snowpeople the following winter. Although the messages of community cooperation and respecting nature are admirable, this moralistic story sinks under its own weight. The folksy pictures show the snow figures in several impossible poses (a ballerina standing on pointe) and add little to the pedestrian text.—Martha Simpson, Stratford Library Association, CT

Gr 2–4—Two uneven beginning chapter books. The first title introduces Lilly, who has a book of magic that one day "just mysteriously appear[s] beside her bed. Just like that." The rest of the uninspired story jumps from one scenario to the next with little in the way of detail or development, as a spell gone wrong results in Lilly's brother sporting a series of different animal ears. Chapter breaks are not well designated, and the story line (which will appeal to younger readers) is mismatched with the vocabulary choices that are sometimes challenging. In the second book, Lilly mistakenly conjures up a young vampire and must find a way to get rid of him before she and her brother become his snacks. Though the text is again choppy and the plot underdeveloped, this second tale has a better flow and clearer focus, and the content and vocabulary are better suited to the intended audience. Unfortunately, there are some typos. The highlight of both books is Frey's vivid, expressive artwork, featuring bold, black outlines and jewel-toned colors that depict a winning red-headed girl and her impish brother.—Nicole Waskie, Chenango Forks Elementary, Binghamton, NY

Gr 2–4—Igvillu is a small terrier who dreams of being a sled dog, and when she is adopted by an Inuit storyteller and taken to the North to live, she believes her dreams will come true. Then she meets a gruff sled-dog leader who threatens to kill her and puts that dream behind her. Later that evening, her master is watching The Wizard of Oz, her favorite movie, and she recognizes that small dogs can be heroes, too. Dog lovers will enjoy this story of dreaming big and just may learn about life in Nunavut, as the story and illustrations contain details that can dispel misconceptions about life in the great Northern reaches of Canada. Full-color paintings filled with motion complement the black-and-white scratchboard silhouettes that frame the text. Libraries needing additional material on modern Inuit life will want this title.—Angela J. Reynolds, Annapolis Valley Regional Library, Bridgetown, NS, Canada

K-Gr 2—Imagination runs rampant in this story that describes a child's Saturday morning. Faced with a list of chores to complete before she can play, June proceeds to lighten her tasks by imagining a huge bird teaching her to fly to the mailbox, a genial wind blowing her and the leaves across the steps of her house and into a field, and monsters cleaning under her bed. When she and her dog finish their work, they face the front door ready to begin the day. Colorful, humorous cartoon illustrations with plenty to look at fill the pages, contrasting reality with June's fantasies in a style a little reminiscent of William Joyce's. Although not an essential purchase, the book should find many small adherents.—Judith Constantinides, formerly at East Baton Rouge Parish Main Library, LA

K-Gr 3—Spoiled Princess Alicia constantly yells out the same refrain, "I'm bored!" Nothing pleases her—not the wondrous garden maze commissioned by the king and queen, not a table full of frothy desserts, not even a specially designed, fully automated "princess-washer" bathtub. She finally decides that she wants a prince, but all the candidates bore her except for one. Prince Connor brings a big box filled with sheets of paper, and, after folding an origami house, invites her to make something herself. Her creative streak unleashed, the princess finally finds an interest, and, in the years that follow, the two marry and live happily ever after. The clear message is that the simple things are often better than the fantastic. Large, painterly spreads depict the story's action from varied perspectives. The artist's rich palette consistently contrasts bold reds with landscape greens. An enjoyable but additional tale.—Linda M. Kenton, Pickleweed Public Library, San Rafael, CA

K-Gr 3—Once again nine-year-old Riley receives a summons to help his Uncle Max, a research scientist who travels around the world. This time the assignment is to track down a missing female panda that has escaped from China's Wolong Panda Reserve. Riley accompanies his aunt and uncle and cousin to the Jiuzhaigou Valley, 800 miles west of Beijing, to learn more about pandas' native habitat. After observing plants and animals there, they head to Wolong. Their trek up the isolated mountains quickly turns dangerous after their return path is blocked by a landslide. Fortunately, the reserve has Wi-Fi so Uncle Max can send an SOS from his laptop. In the meantime, Riley locates not only the female panda, but also her baby. Cartoon drawings of the humans are juxtaposed with photos of plants, animals, and scenic views. Text boxes provide factual information about flora and fauna by quoting scientific experts who appear in tiny portraits. Additional facts are incorporated into conversations between Max and his aunt. The book concludes with a glossary and map, plus a page inviting readers to visit Riley's Web site, which includes an invitation to join Riley's kids' club, information about the books' characters, games, and plenty of opportunities to buy Riley merchandise. Anyone searching for straightforward information about pandas will need to consult additional sources.—Kathy Piehl, Minnesota State University, Mankato

PreS—Lyon and Catalanotto have teamed up again to depict another everyday occurrence in the life of a small child. A lyrical text tells of a mother and father preparing their child for bed: "Everything nests—"Shh shh/Everything rests shh/Time to turn in/—To put play away/Turn out the light—/Call it a day." All of the spreads show full-color paintings of the parents and their child on the upper portion and scenes of animals asleep in muted shades of blue and violet on the lower part. At the start of the book, when the father is playing with his daughter and the mother is readying the girl's bath, it is somewhat disconcerting to see baby animals huddled together with their eyes shut on the bottoms of the pages. It starts to make sense when specific animals are mentioned in the rhyme and their pictures are shown below: "Bee in the hive/Whale in the deep/ocean in motion/Cradling sleep." But it is confusing when the text reads "Hen on the roost," and the illustration shows a tiger, lion, gorilla, rabbit, pig, fox, dog, and hippo. The last spread features an assortment of sleeping baby animals superimposed over the dreaming child, and the effect is too busy. Although some children may like identifying the various sleeping critters, the dark pictures may seem spooky to others. Sheet music is provided for anyone who wants to sing the story, and readers can go to the author's Web site to hear it.—Martha Simpson, Stratford Library Association, CT

PreS-K—A treacly treatise on love. It includes such sentiments as, "It seems impossible that I could love you more each day/but that is what happens./You keep changing and growing and that will never stop./All I can do is hang on for the ride." Despite its moments of humor—"I love your never-ending surprises./Like when you hate broccoli./Then it's your favorite…"—the text bows under the weight of its sentimentality and, in the end, comes off as a laundry list. Bryant's cuddly personified bears, who wear clothes and read books, are appealingly sweet, and are a good match for the text. They often overfill the pages, giving readers a sense of the all-encompassing love they embody. Different seasons are represented, portraying the constancy of the parent's love. Leave this for grandparents to buy as gifts and pick up a copy of Todd Parr's The I Love You Book (Little, Brown, 2009), which has the humor and universality that this title lacks.—Amy Lilien-Harper, The Ferguson Library, Stamford, CT

K-Gr 2—Betsy B. Little is an unusually tall giraffe, even taller than her parents, and wherever she goes she attracts attention. Riding the school bus, she has to stick her head out of the window and then duck under telephone wires. Jumping rope ties her in knots. And when she goes to bed, her body is too long for the mattress. Betsy dreams of becoming a ballerina, but when she takes lessons, her head bumps against the ceiling and her crashes rattle the other dancers. In the end, however, the giraffe finds a place where she can pirouette with grace and abandon. Betsy is an inspiration for all the gawky ballerinas and too-tall kids no one wants to sit behind. Her temperament remains cheerful and determined when she is presented with physical obstacles. The rhyming text is fairly smooth and has a satisfying ending: "The whole town applauds her/For coming so far/And finding her own way/Of reaching her star." Watercolor illustrations show Betsy's uniqueness and awkwardness with sympathy and wit. No matter her circumstances, she is depicted as an appealing, friendly character with whom readers can identify.—Mary Hazelton, Elementary Schools in Warren & Waldoboro, ME

PreS-Gr 2—Friendly looking watercolors illustrate a charming story, loosely based on an Irish legend, about why cats have nine lives. Felicity, a young witch, is excited about her upcoming birthday. She's finally turning 263 and is excited about the changes that this magical age brings: her first wart; curling shoe toes; the ability to cast a love spell; and, most thrilling of all, the capacity to turn herself into a cat. "Give me whiskers and moonlight sight,/as I become a cat tonight./My witchy self will now be gone,/but I'll return by break of dawn!" Gentle tension arises as her cousins Wanda, Willa, and Woo worry that she might make the transition permanent by one too many nocturnal changes—the eighth change cannot be reversed—and attempt to intervene with a spell of their own. In the end, all is well: Felicity has made her decision about who she really wants to be. Easy-to-read text features simple dialogue and fresh word choices ("she didn't care a whisker about the rules") that work well with large illustrations of the orange-striped feline and the Halloween season. A great read-aloud choice for storytimes.—Lee Bock, Glenbrook Elementary School, Pulaski, WI

PreS-Gr 2—A young girl lies in bed listening to the sounds emanating from the kitchen. "Scrape! Splash! Clunk! Clang!…Then something else—a deep voice humming a tune, and someone laughing." She wakes up her brother, Tito, "Oye! Do you hear?" Together they tiptoe down the stairs, peek into the kitchen, and gaze upon a playful and obviously happy couple. Their father is singing to their mother in Spanish and English, using a wooden spoon as a microphone, "Cómo te quiero! Oh how I love you." They dance around the kitchen drying dishes, opening and closing cabinets, oblivious to all except one another. Then Mama spots the two children. "Hola!" she says. She picks up the girl, Papa picks up the boy—now they all sing, "Oh, how I love you!" as they "twirl around and around in a circle of family." Faces nestled, the children grow sleepy and are carried back upstairs. "Sweet dreams." Full of vitality, simple, and touching, this picture book presents a celebration of family through words and expressive, exuberant pictures. Wonderful.—Mary N. Oluonye, Shaker Heights Public Library, OH

PreS-Gr 1—These titles are serviceable tools for the development of reading fluency; however, they offer nothing more. Herbie Bear and Samantha cannot agree on who is the winner of a race in Blue Bike. In Fire Truck, Herbie daydreams during a fire-safety program, imagining that he is at the scene of a fire. And in Fort, friends contribute items to a common play space, with Herbie providing the cookies. These books appear to have been dashed off quickly and contain an unfortunate number of errors in grammar and usage. In Fort, the authors write: "Everyone wanted to make their own fort." In Blue Bike, the text goes back and forth between past and present tense. Full-page illustrations are bold and lively but have a highly commercial, cereal-box look. Because of the uninspired writing, lack of character development, and unoriginal plots, these titles should find a place on library shelves only where decoding practice is the sole objective.—Gloria Koster, West School, New Canaan, CT

PreS-Gr 2—When Penny, Polly, and Molly hatch, they are three tough chicks. They run around the farm ("Peep, peep, zoom, zip, cheep") to the consternation of the other animals and the farmer. From swinging on the cow's tail, roping the rooster, and peeking under the hood of the tractor, the feisty females elicit pleas from the farmer and critters to the chicks' mother, "Make them be good!" Mother Hen invariably replies, "They are good!" But they are restored to everyone's good graces when a runaway tractor almost crashes into the henhouse. The colorful acrylic illustrations—and chicks—dance across the pages in a variety of spreads and smaller vignettes. The frenetic barnyard action is barely contained within the pages. The repetition in the text will make this a good choice for storytime sharing as well as independent reading. These chicks are mischievous enough to entice the most reluctant reader.—Marge Loch-Wouters, Menasha Public Library, WI

PreS-K—A perfect child's-eye perspective on having a new cat. The simple bilingual text explains the daily playfulness—"kitty hides behind Grandma's shoes./La gatita se esconde detrás de los zapatos de Abuelita." The book can be useful for English-language as well as Spanish-language learners. The brightly colored spreads are lighthearted in the depictions of the feline peering from a flowerpot on its side or dashing into a doll's crib. The mischief and the accompanying laughter or dismay displayed by the children are well rendered. The three siblings clearly enjoy their new pet. This is a good choice for bilingual storytimes or for sharing one-on-one.—Linda M. Kenton, Pickleweed Public Library, San Rafael, CA

Gr 1–4—In simple, lyrical language, Morecroft recounts how Malu-Kangaroo creates a surfboard, and the first children learn "to leap the waves/Like shining dolphins,/And to ride the high crests/Or swoop and fly/Before the crashing breakers/Like bright birds in the sun." Bancroft brings the narrative to life in brilliant and lively naive-style illustrations. Large paintings feature intricate, detailed patterns and figures outlined in thick black lines. Surfing is popular in Australia, but it is more accurately associated with Polynesian-Hawaiian traditions. Diane Wolkstein's Sun Mother Wakes the World (HarperCollins, 2004), also illustrated by Bancroft, is an example of an excellent indigenous Australian folktale. Malu Kangaroo, nevertheless, is an engaging story, well realized through Bancroft's vivid art.—Marilyn Taniguchi, Beverly Hills Public Library, CA

Gr 3–6—This title delivers more quests and adventures geared for a younger audience than the author's "Squire's Tales" books (Houghton). King Arthur beknights Givret after the young man helps him out of an apparent no-win situation. The king and the other knights soon come to understand that Sir Givret's quick thinking more than compensates for his lack of stature, which means he never has to resort to using his sword. Brush and ink illustrations, both full-page and vignettes, are scattered throughout, adding interest to the humorous story line. The combination of a peddler with a long, hooded black cloak; an evil, self-proclaimed count; a young woman who talks too much, or just enough; and a reckless young knight out to prove himself results in an entertaining tale that is sure to please young readers enamored with medieval derring-do.—Maryann H. Owen, Racine Public Library, WI

PreS-Gr 2—These two retellings of biblical parables replace human characters with insects. The divergent personalities of the bugs come through in their conversations and behaviors. In House, two creatures set up construction companies to build homes. Willie and his crew abide by the rules while Ray directs his workers to use shortcuts. When a disastrous storm blows in, Willie's houses remain intact; Ray's collapse. In Stink Bug, a family boards a motor home to head off for a vacation at Six Rag amusement park. On the way, a rowdy gang stops them. Pop, severely injured, tells his son to get help and take the rest of the family with him. Marching ants, followed by snobbish butterflies, see him, but pass by without coming to his aid. A stink bug and snail rescue Pop, who is eventually reunited with the family. Both didactic picture books inject pop culture into the traditional parables. The rhyme schemes are often stretched. Speech bubbles set the dialogue apart from the text. Each book concludes with a clear statement of the moral. Children will be entertained by the many details in Smith's comical cartoon-style artwork, which varies in size and features blues, greens, yellows, and purples. Vehicles are made from recycled materials. Parents seeking more traditional biblical versions will need to look elsewhere, but these lively, action-filled retellings do make the lessons accessible to children. Libraries desiring to broaden their selections of religious materials might consider them.—Lynn K. Vanca, Akron-Summit County Public Library, Richfield, OH

PreS-K—Posy is a "…whiskers wiper,/crayon swiper./Playful wrangler,/knitting tangler." Rendered in watercolor pencil crayons, acrylic, and India inks, she sometimes dominates the broad cream-colored spreads or divides a page into several vignettes with her actions. Color is used sparingly, allowing readers to focus on the striped and spotted feline. While grown-ups, particularly cat lovers, will be charmed by the stylized art, children will notice in the kitten's daily activities much of what interests them, too-chasing spiders, puzzling over mirrors, inspecting socks hanging from a clothesline, and cuddling with Mom at the end of the day. This book is well suited for sharing one-on-one, allowing youngsters to study the pictures up close and giving adults the chance to emphasize the playfulness of the text.—Kara Schaff Dean, Walpole Public Library, MA

Gr 1–3—Written in short snappy chapters from the viewpoint of Down Girl, a frisky dog, this funny tale describes how she and her friend Sit attempt to train their humans. Down Girl soon learns that this is a difficult task because her owner doesn't respond to such wonderful treats as a chewed-up old glove. Both Down Girl and Sit soon become fed up with their respective people and resolve to get their attention by being "bad to the bone," resulting in even more fun. Seeing the world through the eyes of a rowdy dog can give young readers a new perspective on animal-people relationships and on point of view. Nolan's quick wit and Reed's amusing black-and-white illustrations enliven a neighborhood full of four- and two-footed characters. Shared aloud with the first two volumes, Smarter Than Squirrels (2004) and On the Road (2006, both Marshall Cavendish), or as a stand-alone, this hilarious story will delight classroom audiences and will also tempt reluctant readers.—Carrie Rogers-Whitehead, Kearns Library, UT

PreS-Gr 1—Letters are hammered into words, words are turned into towering sentences, sentences into paragraphs, and paragraphs into "chapter cities" in this construction-themed introduction to the craft of writing. Paul's spare text allows the illustrations to take center stage and Cyrus takes the cue, showing himself to be a master of perspective in one awe-inspiring layout after another. Ultimately, a little construction worker has created a whole world inside a book. Finally finished, he opens it to see a train carrying the letters "Once upon a time." Word Builder will provide teachers with a great introduction to writing, especially for children just beginning to put words and sentences together. Preschoolers will be drawn to the construction motif, regardless of the subject. Though vaguely reminiscent of Denise Fleming's Alphabet Under Construction (Holt, 2002), this title goes beyond the basic alphabet book premise and has none of the cutesiness of that work.—Jayne Damron, Farmington Community Library, MI

PreS-Gr 2—Like the imaginative heroes of Portis's Not a Box (2007) and Not a Stick (2008, both HarperCollins), Edna yearns for something different. Though her fellow penguins are content to play and eat in their world of white snow, black night, and blue sea, she seeks something else. She finds it—a giant, bright orange research station, inhabited by orange-coated researchers. When she takes the other penguins there, they are suitably impressed, and one of the researchers even gives her a colorful glove. As the others go back to their normal lives, Edna stands atop an iceberg, wearing the orange glove like a hat, wondering "What else could there be?" This gentle tribute to dreamers crackles with quiet humor, and the art's limited palette both parallels the plot and lends the book a classic feel. Portis's ability to convey emotion and character through the slightest change in Edna's beady eyes and flippers is extraordinary, and the interplay of the text and pictures nears perfection. A delightful story, delightfully told.—Kathleen Kelly MacMillan, Carroll County Public Library, MD

Gr 3–5—In their fourth adventure, slackers Fred and Anthony, having escaped from the Netherworld, are ready to return to Sunny Babbling Brook Elementary for another school year. To their horror, they find many changes: their doughnut-eating gym teacher has been replaced by a fitness fanatic, the cafeteria now serves arugula and oatmeal sandwiches instead of Pez and Chex Mix, and their new classroom teacher is obsessed with both testing and orthopedic footwear. When a new student arrives and mysterious accidents start to occur, the boys know it can only mean one thing: disgruntled spirits from the Netherworld want revenge. Fred and Anthony must journey there once more to return their school to normal. This title has the same mixed format as the previous books (blocks of text broken up with illustrations and cartoon-style panels), and a whirlwind summary of the first three adventures updates readers who aren't familiar with them. It's high on action with little development of character or setting. Although there's plenty of bodily humor, some of the jokes seem to be aimed more at adults: Do children even know what Earth shoes are? Consider this if the other titles are popular or if kids need something to read after they've exhausted all the "Captain Underpants" titles.—Jackie Partch, Multnomah County Library, Portland, OR

PreS-Gr 1—One day, Patrick the penguin wakes up pink. When his classmates make fun of him, he swims to Africa to meet the flamingos. But he doesn't fit in there either, so he heads home. His friends are impressed with his journey and happy to see him, prompting him to decide that his mom was right—being different is not so bad. This rehashing of the theme of accepting one's differences includes humor, but Patrick's classmates' turnaround is a bit facile, and nothing is truly new here. Charmberlain's bright cartoon illustrations are reminiscent of Mary Murphy's work, although somewhat more detailed. Patrick is, well, very pink, with his feet an impressive shade of fuchsia. While the text is set in a typeface that can be hard to decipher at times, the story reads aloud smoothly and reflects a childlike sensibility. However, some literal-minded youngsters may want a bit more explanation for why the penguin became pink and whether or not he will stay that way. For another take on accepting differences that includes flamingos, pick up a copy of Ellen Stoll Walsh's For Pete's Sake (Harcourt, 1998).—Amy Lilien-Harper, The Ferguson Library, Stamford, CT

K-Gr 1—In this humorous and foolish story, a boy has a dream that carries him throughout the land looking up pointy trees for his snuggly scarf and into a cave for a dragon. When he awakens, readers can observe in his bedroom the different elements that appeared in various forms within his weird dream. Riddell's imaginative illustrations outshine the odd story line. Children will pore over the scales of the dragon, the flower-pod bed, and the droll blue sky fish. The pointy bird with his "pointy-sounding squawk" appears to be, grotesquely, all head and no body. Seuss-like in appearance, the exaggerated length of Wardrobe Monster's blue arms hold the boy emperor safe when he is dropped from the sky. Comparing the landscape from the front to the rear endpapers is another visual delight. This is an additional selection for those youngsters who love searching illustrations for minute details.—Blair Christolon, Prince William Public Library System, Manassas, VA

PreS-K—"Cement Mixer Melvin worries" is the opening line and central theme of this simple, predictable, and yet entirely engaging picture book. Melvin is such a worrier that he even worries that he might get worried. Just being with him makes others become worried. When Payloader Pete shows him and Rescue Rita an unfinished bridge, Melvin quakes with apprehension as other gutsy vehicles fearlessly roar and soar across the open expanse. Melvin believes himself incapable of such feats, and his fear of failure paralyzes him until he sees that Rita is in danger and needs his help. Only after he realizes the extremity of her situation does Melvin find the courage to act, and, with stunning foldout pages, he saves the day. The pages feature exuberant and adorably anthropomorphized automobile characters that are digitally and stunningly rendered in nearly overwhelming color that reflects the style of the "design team," especially the highly appealing art of David Shannon. This book is sure to be a hit with car-loving kids and will certainly resonate with worryworts.—Piper Nyman, Brookmeade Elementary School, Nashville, TN

K-Gr 3—Rhyming couplets tell the story of an ice hockey team winning a big game and brother helping brother. When Derek is tripped by a player on the opposing team and receives the penalty shot, Casey takes it to allow his sibling time to recover. The shot creates an overtime situation, and Derek returns to score the winning goal. Hockey jargon abounds, but any sports enthusiast can enjoy this simple tale with basic brotherly concern. The oil-on-canvas illustrations show how the action intensifies as the illustrator uses varying angles and perspectives from high above in the stands looking down at the tops of the players' helmets to close-up side views of facial pain when Derek goes down. One amusing observation is that the distinctive noses on all the characters, including the opposing team, look as if the players are all related in one big extended genetic family. The colorful endpapers show a worker on a Zamboni smoothing the ice, signifying the beginning and the end of the game. Even though the plot is on the thin side, this book will supplement the dearth of hockey picture books.—Blair Christolon, Prince William Public Library System, Manassas, VA

K-Gr 3—Dagmar is a vegetarian vampire who lives in a creepy old castle with his parents and other ghoulish creatures. He has a gentle soul and a serious sweet tooth; he does not like blood. A castle mate tells him about a human holiday where candy is handed out for free and Dagmar embarks upon making a costume to transform himself into a scary being. His choices are hilarious—a puppy, a kitty, or a butterfly—terrifying if you're a vampire. Eventually he goes out as himself and meets a "ghost" who teaches him how to trick-or-treat. Even though the little girl frightens Dagmar, they make a connection that could change his view of humans forever. The computer illustrations are characteristic of Seibold's style—rounded figures with big eyes and lots of detail throughout the panels. The palette is bold, and the images are filled with kid-pleasing details. A fresh spin on Halloween.—Linda M. Kenton, Pickleweed Public Library, San Rafael, CA

PreS-Gr 2—In many ways Spencer's situation epitomizes every child's fantasy-he has a toy collection that rivals a major toy store in depth and breadth. Simply cataloging the different types takes many engaging pages overflowing with brightly colored playthings. The problem is that the sheer number of toys has created multiple hazards. Tired of dodging disasters and sidestepping landslides, Spencer's mom decides that enough is enough and begins negotiating the downsizing of inventory. Savvy Spencer turns on the big sad eyes in order to protect his favorites. Mom's troubles do not stop there; the toy debate is weighted in the boy's favor by the constant deluge of gifts from friends and family. After sorting through the entire collection, he and his mother come up with a box of items to give away—only to find that the toy he refuses to part with is the box. A master at capturing the workings of a young mind, Shannon combines realistic dialogue with his boisterous illustrations to create another surefire hit. This book provides a pertinent and appealing read.—Piper Nyman, Brookmeade Elementary School, Nashville, TN

PreS—Each book tackles a problematic transition that many children go through. Bed and Sit Still include a small story about a child with the title concern and how the parents solve it. The other two are more universal, highlighting a series of different situations and depicting a multiethnic cast of children. The illustrations are amateurish, portraying round-headed, round-eyed children on pastel backgrounds. The back matter includes step-by-step advice in handling the title situation, a Web site to help, and a disclaimer stating that the publisher is not "engaged in rendering psychological or other professional services." Perhaps not, but these titles read more like an attempt at self-help books for children and their parents than any form of literature. There are plenty of good books that deal with developmental issues. Leave these titles for the pediatrician's office.—Amy Lilien-Harper, The Ferguson Library, Stamford, CT

PreS-Gr 2—For the first few days after they board the ark to escape the heavy rain, the animals enjoy the novelty of the voyage. However, as weeks pass, tempers start to flare, and an alphabetic litany of animals and their grievances begins. Camels complain, kangaroos kick, yaks yell, and the rest of the passengers contribute to the miserable atmosphere. Finally, Noah calls a halt to the uproar with a resounding shout to remind the creatures that they have to get along on a crowded boat. The next pass through the alphabet is much more congenial. Iguanas invite jaguars to jam. Quails quote rhymes with rabbits at a penguin party. In short, spirits improve considerably. Davis's hilarious illustrations of the facial expressions and actions of the various animals add to the liveliness and humor. Lots of interactions occur simultaneously, giving readers much to explore visually. Aside from the basic premise of Noah and a huge assortment of animals, there's little relation to the familiar Bible tale. Shapiro has crafted a humorous alphabet story with an underlying message of cooperation—a winning combination.—Kathy Piehl, Minnesota State University, Mankato

PreS-K—Jake feels displaced when the heaps of adult attention he's accustomed to divert to his new baby sister. He also frets about the duties of being a big brother. The boy's reaction is to become extremely helpful to Mom and understanding of her need for rest. This brings forth the desired praise and privileges of growing up. The simple sentences are stilted and remind readers of the author's intent to instruct. One also wonders about the lack of peers in Jake's life, a fact that seems to magnify his need for adult approval. Realistic paintings show the repeatedly red-faced baby crying and a kitchen with standard mess. These commendable depictions don't compensate for the incredibly perfect behavior taken on by a child struggling with sibling rivalry.—Gay Lynn Van Vleck, Henrico County Library, Glen Allen, VA

K-Gr 3—One afternoon during India's monsoon season, a young boy is bored when his grandmother, his parents, and his brother turn down his plea for play. Finally, his grandfather is willing to fold paper boats, which they sail in a washtub. They take a walk through the rain and swing in the banyan tree. The boy asks eagerly if Dadaji had the same experiences when he was a child and he wonders if things will still be the same when he himself is a grandfather. As in Sheth's My Dadima Wears a Sari (Peachtree, 2007), Jaeggi's soft watercolors underscore the warm relationship between generations and the feeling of belonging that an extended family grants. This beautiful and atmospheric picture book makes a great addition for all multicultural collections. Pair it with Uma Krishnaswami's Monsoon (Farrar, 2003) for a storyhour about India's rainy season.—Monika Schroeder, American Embassy School, New Delhi, India

K-Gr 4—A young escaped slave on the run is the focal point of this book loosely based on Rudyard Kipling's Kim. A powerful refrain is heard throughout this story and becomes a mantra for the protagonist, who dreams only of freedom: "Before I die, I want to be free. But the Big Man says, 'You belong to me.'" After he is recaptured, a ball and chain is attached to his ankle, making it crystal clear that he is owned by another. He manages to break the chain and leave the ball behind, but the shackle itself remains firmly in place on his ankle. Along his escape route he stops to care for an orphaned child and, in the end, it is this child who frees him from the shackle. The verse, in rhyming couplets, is not as strong as the idea it is attempting to convey. Rather than a lyrical song, the text comes across as choppy and somewhat pedestrian. In contrast, Lewis's beautiful watercolors lift this book to the level it was meant to achieve. The palette is dark as the young slave travels mostly through the night toward freedom, and the colors brighten as the child frees him from his bonds and his world opens up. This is another book to add to the corpus of Underground Railroad stories.—Joan Kindig, James Madison University, Harrisonburg, VA

PreS-Gr 2—This book is slightly larger than most board books, but its simple text makes it a good choice for emerging readers as well as preschoolers. A Caucasian boy and a black girl wiggle, twist, and twirl to the bakery, through a park, and to the pet store to purchase a cake and gifts on their way to a party. The rhyming verses and bouncy pictures encourage readers to "Shake,/shake,/shake it,/baby!/Come and dance with me!" The smiling children and the people they meet bop and shimmy along with the beat, although the story told in the pictures is unrelated to the text and appears to be entirely the illustrator's interpretation. Purchase as needed.—Martha Simpson, Stratford Library Association, CT

K-Gr 2—In Don't Forget!, Sam has to care for the class rabbit, and, like many young students, he needs to work on attitude, planning, and follow-through. Complaining the whole time, he first tries to put off the feeding, and then performs the job sloppily. His persistent teacher and a friend teach him to embrace the responsibility. In Vote, a somewhat weaker story, Suen answers questions about the electoral process and good choices through a series of conversations between the title character, who is running for student council, and his friend. The two talk a lot about what to put on campaign posters and how to deal with an opponent, but not much about what it means to serve. The characters and situations in both books unfold realistically, and Ebbeler's illustrations, showing multicultural students in a familiar school environment, fill in the details. The result is dialogue-driven character-education stories that meet readers at their own level. Comprehension and inference questions and a set of relevant school rules provide extensions for classroom use. The dialogic narrative invites use as reader's theater.—Lisa Egly Lehmuller, St. Patrick's Catholic School, Charlotte, NC

PreS-Gr 2—Whimsical acrylic cartoons show busy children and animals in an alphabet-based text that emphasizes God's presence in the season: "The bright Jack-o'-lantern with its friendly, big grin/reminds us God's love is a light from within"; "…over the Scarecrow, all stuffed with hay./A reminder that God watches us each day." A barn dance, a quilting bee, and a hayride provide nostalgic scenes for children to consider, along with imaginative background details of animals reading, making beds, selling cookies, raking, and catching nuts in nets. Innocent faces, clear colorful shapes, and a smooth rhyming text that conveys the awe and joy of the season make this a sweet, gentle book for family and church settings.—Lee Bock, Glenbrook Elementary School, Pulaski, WI

Gr 2–5—Just after the Civil War, a Jewish Yankee needing a place to observe Passover finds a Confederate family who offers him hospitality, mindful of the words in the Passover Haggadah, "All who are hungry, let them come and eat." Young Jacob, bitter about the South's defeat, is resentful at first, and the whole family finds the situation awkward. However, the Jewish tradition of debate and interpretation allows each side a voice, as the Josephsons interpret the story of the Exodus as rebellion against an unjust government, while Corporal Levy points out the misery of slavery and the joy of freedom. A blossoming friendship between Myer Levy and the Southern family begins the postwar healing process. Respect for others' opinions and openness to learning are the key themes of this beautifully told story. Masterful oil paintings pace the action and reflect characters' emotions. The historical basis for the tale is revealed in the endnote, which includes photos of Levy's family and his actual saber, and supporting material about Passover is included as front and back matter. This lovely tale infuses history with feeling and illuminates the spirit of a major Jewish holiday in a way that can be appreciated by readers of all backgrounds.—Heidi Estrin, Feldman Children's Library at Congregation B'nai Israel, Boca Raton, FL

PreS-Gr 2—It's clear from the beginning that Lucy Goosey, who is "nearly fully grown," doesn't want to fly away with the rest of her family. The gosling already misses the familiar places around the home she must leave. She is so upset, in fact, that she runs off with the words, "Don't care, Don't care, Don't care!" in response to her mother's warning that she'll be left behind. But when night falls and it seems that indeed she is alone, Lucy is bereft. But Mum has stayed behind, of course, and the two reassure one another, in a Runaway Bunny moment, that they will always come after and care for one another. In a well-structured and disciplined text, Wild uses just the right words to describe not only Lucy's love for her comfortable environment, but also her fear of the unknown. James's paintings are filled with soft blues and greens that make Lucy's home appealing both for her and young listeners. When night comes and she swims in "lonely little circles," the water swirling around her small figure emphasizes both her confusion and the vastness in which she finds herself. Many books take on the theme of separation from a parent, including Wild's own Piglet and Mama (Abrams, 2005) and Karma Wilson's Where Is Home, Little Pip? (S & S, 2008). This is an admirable addition.—Jane Marino, Bronxville Public Library, NY

Gr 3–5—Varied typefaces and colors, large print, good spacing, and lively and creative arrangement make these books attractive, and color photos and other illustrations throughout are easy to follow. Each has three sections: "The Basics"; "Doing It"; and "People, Places, and Fun." All of the intricacies of these crafts are explored in texts that are geared toward beginners. Children will learn about the craft's history; the various types of yarns, needles, and hooks; museum displays; and different designs. Crocheting describes, step-by-step, how a slip knot is made and how to hold hook and yarn, make a foundation chain, create a single crochet stitch, add color stripes, and figure gauge. Also mentioned is creating crafts for a cause, and how the pastime is enjoyed around the world. Quilting describes simple stitches, marking and cutting fabric, and putting the project together. Boxed text interspersed throughout the books provides additional trivia and helpful tips. Crocheting outlines four projects (dishcloth, striped scarf, purse, and afghan square) and Quilting five (quilt top and putting it together, triangle sachet, free-form wall hanging, purse, and a happy cat face). Materials are easily obtainable from craft stores, and some are readily available at home. Adult assistance is mentioned for some projects, specifically when using an iron or sewing machine. These books will meet the needs of young craft enthusiasts.—Augusta R. Malvagno, Queens Borough Public Library, NY

PreS-Gr 2—This collection of 19 humorous poems includes Robert Louis Stevenson's "Bed in Summer," Vachel Lindsay's "The Little Turtle," Edward Lear's "The Owl and the Pussycat," and Gelett Burgess's "The Purple Cow," among other familiar verses. Playful, cartoonlike illustrations with cut-out characters and details superimposed on sturdy pages give the book texture and help create a novel effect. Different ethnicities are represented in the illustrations, although most are of fanciful animals and fairies. Young children should find the childlike format appealing.—Sally R. Dow, Ossining Public Library, NY

K-Gr 5—This collection of Aesop's fables rewritten to incorporate a Southwestern flavor may have regional appeal only as the retellings are full of unfamiliar colloquial phrases and words like "ramuda" and "vaquero." There is no glossary. The language is often stilted or cumbersome. The humorous illustrations are colorful but also somewhat static; the characters' expressions and actions appear frozen. Jerry Pinkney's Aesop Fables (SeaStar, 2000) and Brad Sneed's Aesop's Fables (Dial, 2003) are better choices.—Kirsten Cutler, Sonoma County Library, CA

K-Gr 3—A picture-book format and no-fuss texts make these titles excellent introductions to some of the considerations of pet ownership. Readers follow a specific child from pet selection to successful long-term care. The mixed-media illustrations have a computer-generated look to them, and the texts are clear against the boldly illustrated pages. Even better, it is always at the top of the page, so there is no darting around from factoid to factoid. "Tip" boxes make appearances, but they are clearly marked, always in the same place, and always in reference to nearby content. Each volume includes a detailed look at the different parts of each animal.—Kara Schaff Dean, Walpole Public Library, MA

Gr 1–3—Large type, short sentences, and glossaries make these texts accessible. Brief paragraphs provide descriptions of the use of the weapons, and notes dispersed throughout impart extra facts such as the range of a rifle. The texts are packed with clearly labeled color photos. Civil War is the most successful since it covers a relatively short period. Ancient Times, however, tries to cover the period from prehistory to ancient Rome—far too much time. In the same way, the information in Middle Ages becomes unfocused because there is no one event or period being discussed. Overall, the books are simplistic and will only warrant purchase for their photographs. Michele Byam's Arms and Armor (2004) or Richard Holmes's Battle (2000, both DK) are better bets.—Clare A. Dombrowski, Amesbury Public Library, MA

Gr 2–5—Duble offers facts and myths about the Samson's nautical past through a conversation over a scrapbook between a boy named for the vessel and his seaman grandfather. The schooner's proximity to—and failure to respond to—the Titanic disaster is presented as a real part of its history. The author offers resources including books and Web sites and explains in a note the controversy around this legend. Actual facts, including the vessel's rescue of Ernest Shackleton's crewmates, explorations to Antarctica with Admiral Richard Byrd, and a place in the 1933 Chicago World's Fair, are also presented and are chronicled in the time line. Full-spread oil paintings of the adventures appear with inset yellowed scrapbook images and scenes of the boy and his grandfather. While portraits are not Farquharson's strong point, his likenesses are confirmed by photos that appear on the end pages. After it sank, the Samson ended up as the wood used in houses on the Nova Scotia coast. Fans of nautical fiction will enjoy this work, as will patrons looking for books on family history, grandparents, and exploration and adventure.—Janet S. Thompson, Chicago Public Library

Gr 2–4—Each spread features a high-quality, captioned color photo on the left, facing a page of large-type text. While offering some information for elementary reports, the titles lack depth, providing only a glimpse at the different jobs in these fields. Chef is the better book because it focuses on one career, discussing several famous personalities along the way. Movies provides just a paragraph or two on screenwriters, cinematographers, set and costume designers, actors, directors, and animators. These books offer mostly glamour and little substance.—Lynda Ritterman, formerly at Atco Elementary School, NJ

Gr 2–5—Anecdotes highlighting the human element make these standard history topics more memorable. For example, Yorktown explains why General Washington had to schedule battles around certain dates—most men only enlisted for short periods. However, the authors have isolated the events in order to keep the narratives short, and the tight focus necessitates a loss of detail, so that additional resources will be needed to present the events in context. Fradin explains that the United States received help from France and highlights General Rochambeau's assistance to Washington, but Lafayette is not mentioned. In Gold Rush, a highlighted box describes the effects of the population influx on Native Americans, but does not say that many California immigrants were Chinese. Salem maintains an objective tone. It notes the relatively recent theory that contaminated food may have caused hallucinations in people throughout the area. In all three books, the stock images include reproductions of period paintings, woodcuts, engravings, and documents, as well as modern maps. They share an oddly colorized quality (perhaps brightened from the originals?), but they are plentiful and add some visual appeal.—Lucinda Snyder Whitehurst, St. Christopher's School, Richmond, VA

K-Gr 3—The first few pages of each volume offer a brief introduction to the habitat and provide a map that clearly identifies locations around the world. Then spreads introduce eight animals. A large, striking photo of each creature will capture readers' attention, while text boxes and a small inset photo provide additional information. A minimal attempt is made to relate the animals to one another. Coral Reefs notes the oceans in which each animal lives, but readers might easily assume that they will all be found in the same region. Glossary entries are sometimes simplistic-for example, lichen is described as "a kind of plant that grows on a hard surface such as a rock or tree." Although the author provides a list of additional animals and challenges readers to learn more about them, she doesn't suggest books or Web sites for such an investigation. Beginning readers and browsers interested in animals may be drawn to these books, but anyone wanting information for reports or enrichment will need additional sources.—Kathy Piehl, Minnesota State University, Mankato

Gr 2–3—These books provide simplified information, with the majority of each one covering the origin of the celebration and how it has evolved over the years. The texts have stayed the same since the 2003 editions, though pictures have been enlarged and their colors made brighter and clearer. Color photos and other illustrations enhance every page. Cinco de Mayo describes how Mexican-Americans celebrate their heritage with parades, music, dancing, and festivals, in honor of the freedom they won on May 5, 1862, in a battle against the French army. Valentine's Day explains the custom of sending cards and ways we show affection. The freeing of the slaves after the Civil War and related traditions such as storytelling and dancing are covered in Juneteenth. All three books conclude with lists of important dates and a three-item, current further reading list. Paired with other books, these reliable sources will be great supplements for holiday basics.—Sandra Welzenbach, Villarreal Elementary School, San Antonio, TX

Gr 3–5—Straightforward texts examine four exotic animal species that have invaded the United States and/or its territories; all but the sea lamprey are on The Invasive Species Specialist Group's list of the world's 100 worst offenders. Each title first presents basic facts about the featured animals and then concisely describes how, when, and where they were transported; the nature of the ecological damage they have caused (for instance, brown treesnakes have overrun Guam, wiping out dozens of native bird and lizard species and causing numerous power blackouts by climbing onto live electrical wires); and efforts to eradicate, or at least control, them. Sidebars offer miscellaneous facts about the subjects and related species; problems with introducing predators into affected ecosystems to control the pests; the global ramifications of invasive species, etc. Clear color photographs, most of which are close-ups, accompany the texts on about every other page. Each title also includes a world map shaded to indicate the animals' native range and the invaded areas. These titles provide report writers with in-depth and up-to-date information on these invaders and the serious problems they cause.—Karey Wehner, formerly at San Francisco Public Library

K-Gr 6—Greenfield's poetic observations and commentaries succinctly capture siblings at various ages and stages, from "My Little Brother" to "Grandma and Her Sisters." With only a few lines, the author grasps the love and admiration, the frustration and hurt, the fun and aggravation that they can engender. "Still, I think no matter what, I'd rather have them than not." The illustrator is equally as skillful in depicting the wide range of emotions and ages in the faces of the individual African Americans peopling the paintings. The realistic watercolors fit around and beside the poems, using the white space to highlight the art and give balance to the pages. This book needs to be shared in classrooms, in storytimes, and especially within families.—Carolyn Janssen, Public Library of Cincinnati and Hamilton County, OH

Gr 1–3—A new approach to an old (but always popular) subject. Each spread is dedicated to a grouping of dinosaurs, for example, the theropods or ornithopods. Colorful, cartoon drawings of dinosaurs from these groups march across the pages along with children of varying race and ethnicity either beside them or on their backs, with the intent of showing the size of the reptiles in relation to the youngsters. Rhyming text follows along with this fictionalized portrayal of dinosaurs parading. A substantial border runs along the bottom of the page naming each dinosaur pictured and revealing facts about it, including where it was discovered and when it got its name. The last page gives characteristics of each group of dinosaurs plus information about how paleontologists name them. Although some interesting facts can be obtained from the borders and back page, the rhyming text is weak.—Christine Lindsey, Lake Superior Primary School, Ashland, WI

Gr 1–4—This lovely picture-book biography of the noted musicologist describes his youth in Texas where he enjoyed singing as he worked on the family ranch and he listened to cowboys singing as they traveled the old Chisholm Trail. Lomas taught for a few years, but his passionate interest in music won out and led him to become an extraordinary collector of folk songs. Beautiful ink and watercolor illustrations radiate warmth, charm, and humor, highlighting expressive features and striking individuality. The handsome artwork is full of energy and authenticity, and includes faithful and appealing renditions of animals and bucolic landscapes. Excerpts from some songs appear prominently. Addendum material includes additional details about Lomax, his family, and their legacy; information about the Library of Congress archival collection of songs; and a list of other sources.—Kirsten Cutler, Sonoma County Library, CA

Gr 2–4—This alphabet book highlights people, places, and familiar items. Some entries rhyme: "J is for Juchitán. This spot is so hot, it's a good place to nap/In the skinniest part of the Mexico map." Others are in free verse. "L is for Lava. Ash, steam, molten fire explode over the land. A volcano is born." Children will struggle with terms such as "Ballet Folklórico," "Netzahualcóyotl," and "Usumacinta River." No pronunciation help is given. Chunks of information in very small type, written for adults to share with children, appear with each letter. Parra's vividly colored illustrations reflect Mexico's traditions and cultures. The people and places come alive as the artist portrays the diversity of the country's landscape, but the text will require a lot of adult help.—Sandra Welzenbach, Villarreal Elementary School, San Antonio, TX

PreS-Gr 2—This collection of 12 riddles accompanied by collage-style photos will keep children entertained. Each selection is paired with two full-color photos filled with tiny toys. Upon first glance the paired pictures appear identical. However, close inspection reveals many differences, some of which are more obvious than others. The riddles range in difficulty, and their solutions can be found within the illustrations. The answers are appended. The introduction, along with additional appended lists of things to look for, direct readers to re-examine the pictures for more hidden items. A few photos are blurry, making objects within them difficult to distinguish. Readers who are unable to locate some of the hidden objects can visit the Web site for extra help. The book follows the successful format of other "Spot 7" titles. A fun addition for libraries of all sizes.—Lynn K. Vanca, Akron-Summit County Public Library, Richfield, OH

Gr 3–5—Although some of the same information is touched upon in both titles, the amount of detail differs. The books each contain five chapters of straightforward, sequential text, a scattering of sidebars, and a time line. They are liberally illustrated with portraits, reproductions of paintings and portions of documents, and detailed maps. These titles have less coverage of African Americans' and women's involvement in the war than Daniel Rosen's Independence Now (National Geographic, 2004), but they include more events and people, giving them a slight edge for reports.—Lori A. Guenthner, Baltimore County Public Library, Randallstown, MD

Gr 2–4—Leaving the basic framework of the Grimm Brothers' tale intact, Morpurgo has altered details of the plot, creating a story in which strong familial bonds allow the innocent brother and sister to overcome evil. A happy, self-sufficient family is cursed by a witch, Belladonna, who falls in love with Gabriel, the children's father, and turns their mother into a weeping willow tree. She enchants Gabriel, who marries her, but she soon realizes that she will never become an integral part of the family. Overcome with jealousy, she creates a sudden famine that kills nearly all of the plants and animals, then twice convinces Gabriel to lose his children in the forest, where she entices them into her little gingerbread cottage for a meal of pancakes and syrup. After each reference to the witch's black magic comes the refrain: "It was nothing for her to do that." The moment Gretel pushes Belladonna into her own oven, the children's world is instantly filled with love, beauty, good health, and happiness. Folk-art-style paintings, in watercolor with colored-pencil outlines and facial features, range in size from small decorations and vertical strips of various widths to full-page scenes. The story is written in language geared to young children, but the dark tone bumps up the age for which it would seem appropriate. Libraries with large fairy-tale collections may want to purchase this lengthier-than-usual version of the story.—Susan Scheps, Shaker Heights Public Library, OH

K-Gr 2—Each book has an introductory figure who delivers information in narrative form, covering the topics through to the present day. The illustrations feature cheerful men and women of various ethnicities in settings where nothing is dirty or threatening. Even in Angel, when Chinese immigrants are building the railroad, being questioned by a panel, or enduring long stints of confinement, everyone is smiling. Many of the illustrations are large-scale, flowing spreads, superimposed over text. While the digitally produced pictures have a characteristic flatness, the figures are given a sculptural quality through shading and color block variations The books are not detailed enough for in-depth research, but their simple language and brief descriptions make them effective for introducing children to patriotic topics. Though they are similar in approach to the "Our Nation's Pride" series (ABDO, 2008), these titles have a larger format.—Lucinda Snyder Whitehurst, St. Christopher's School, Richmond, VA

K-Gr 4—Stunning full-page, color photographs, coupled with clear and understandable text, bring this holiday to life. While titles about Chinese New Year are plentiful, this one stands out due to the showcasing of international celebrations. It shows festivities and traditions in such varied countries as Brazil, Canada, and Japan. Customs meant to bring good luck in the New Year, such as hanging colorful lanterns and giving lucky red envelopes with money, virtually jump off the page. Scrumptious delicacies, illuminating fireworks, and vividly colored dragons are clearly identified through the bold text on each page. A back section entitled "More About Chinese New Year" includes clear and simple directions for making a Chinese lantern, a fortune cookie recipe, information on the Chinese calendar and Zodiac signs, a game, a glossary, and more resources to explore. Superior to Ann Heinrichs's Chinese New Year (The Child's World, 2006), this one is a visual treat.—Michele Shaw, Quail Run Elementary School, San Ramon, CA

Gr 3–4—These titles feature toothy animals on the covers and alternate pages of easy text with full-page color photos (many emphasizing fangs, teeth, and claws). Basic facts are provided regarding such topics as size and variation in species, diet, and hunting methods. Sharks mentions that some females give birth to live babies while others lay eggs; tigers simply "give birth." Possibly unfamiliar terms are highlighted in the text and defined in a simplistic glossary (e.g., "Male—Having to do with men and boys"). Internet links may be searched through a PowerKids Web site. Simple titles on hot topics, these selections would be useful in a classroom browsing library, and are probably candidates for hi-los.—Patricia Manning, formerly at Eastchester Public Library, NY

Gr 2–4—Accessible and action-oriented, short but info-packed, these books aim to turn every reader into a junior rock hound. While not stinting on solid stuff like the rock cycle, formation, classification, and uses (both historical and contemporary)—and veined throughout with enticing fun facts—the core of these volumes is a six-page directory of rock, mineral, gemstone, and fossil specimens for budding collectors. Guidelines for starting the collection are included as sidebar information. Layouts are a bit cluttered and clumsy, but encourage browsing. Photographs are fine, and graphics are kept extremely simple. A good glossary and short index will help report writers mine these books for all they're worth.—Paula Willey, Baltimore County Public Library, Towson, MD

K-Gr 1—These compact and attractive introductory guides present information through charts, maps, and detailed and colorful photographs, with each spread devoted to one subject—one type of spider, for example. There are no full sentences here; just brief lists of "fact bytes" to whet young readers' appetites. Wildcats and Whales include a range map; unfortunately, Rocks and Spiders do not. Pronunciation guides appear in some entries in Rocks, Wildcats, and Whales, but not in Spiders. As acknowledged in an opening note to parents and teachers, early readers may need help with some words and in using the table of contents and back matter.—Amy Rowland, Guggenheim Elementary School, Port Washington, NY

Gr 1–3—These well-executed books provide simple definitions of values and of the specific value, examples of how it can be demonstrated, and a breakdown of the behavior into individual actions. For example, cooperation is described as following instructions, sharing, and solving problems. Each value is considered in a direct manner, which makes the books useful for the younger part of the age range, while the titles will provide springboards for discussion among the older children. The brief texts are accompanied by attractive, captioned color photographs of children, some with adults.—Linda Staskus, Parma Regional Library, OH

Gr 1–3—These titles offer clear descriptions and plenty of discussion points that will be useful in introducing values or discussing problem behaviors in the classroom, though students will not check the books out on their own. Each one begins with a bulleted explanation of the word "values": "Values are the things you believe in. They guide the way you think, you speak, you behave." The rest of the text describes a certain quality, e.g., "Kindness is being friendly." The author then goes on to discuss examples of behaviors and emotions such as being kind to family and friends, feeling sympathy, and caring. The accompanying color photographs, showing children that appear to be unposed, are age-appropriate, culturally diverse, and complement the narratives.—Stephanie Farnlacher, Trace Crossings Elementary School, Hoover, AL

PreS-Gr 3—An emotion that means different things to different people is displayed through lovely black-and-white photographs of families, children, animals, and nature. The authors have taken care to show children and adults of different races in a variety of settings. Red type on the cover is repeated along with spare text that accompanies each illustration. This book will generate much discussion when shared as a read-aloud; it will also serve as a springboard for creative writing. While many titles on this topic are silly or overly sweet, this one is respectful and thought-provoking.—Nancy Baumann, Indian Paintbrush Elementary, Laramie, WY

K-Gr 3—The short, simple selections in these collections are of reasonably good quality. Salas's language flows naturally and none of the poems feels awkward or forced. The author is sensitive to rhyme and meter, consonance and alliteration, and uses a variety of poetic forms, which she defines at the end of each book. The poems in Chatter include information about the rain forest and briefly describe unfamiliar terms and interesting facts in sidelines. All of the selections are accompanied by bright, artistic photographs. The images fill the pages but careful placement of the text and use of colored type make the layout clean and attractive. The photographs, which are printed on glossy pages with rich color saturation, come from a variety of sources but are similar in style and quality. The poetry and illustrations in these books are similar in quality to Jane Yolen's Count Me a Rhyme (Boyd Mills, 2006). Yolen's book, however, does not offer the added factual information about poetry and nature.—Donna Cardon, Provo City Library, UT

Gr 2–5—The bite-size, nonsequential pieces of information in these lighthearted books will appeal to reluctant readers. Small illustrations and multicolored rectangles break up the fascinating, fact-filled pages. Antarctica includes a chapter on how the Earth has changed, with tidbits on fossils and population and climate fluctuations. The chapters in Millionaires cover wealthy individuals, banks, spending, and bills. Blink includes some great gross-out facts, such as "When the inventor of the modern Frisbee, Ed Headrick, died, his ashes were molded into Frisbees." These fun, if not vital, additions are reminiscent of a simplified Guinness Book of World Records.—Nicole Waskie, Chenango Forks Elementary, Binghamton, NY

PreS-Gr 2—A theater curtain opens on Staines's classic folk song populated with the gorgeous array of animals featured in the lyrics. Each spread shows singing, howling, and yowling beasts set against dramatic lighting that varies from misty sunlight to darkest night. The anthropomorphized critters are all hams and seem to enjoy their moments in the spotlight. Nelson's rich illustrations display an exuberance that comes to a rousing finale in a foldout, rainbow-drenched spread followed by a view of the wildly cheering audience and the bowing performers. Musical notation appears as the curtain closes. Libraries that own the version illustrated by Margot Zemach (Dutton, 1989) will still want to share Nelson's critters with storytime groups.—Marge Loch-Wouters, Menasha Public Library, WI

Gr 3–5—The beginning of April 1865 was a pivotal time in the Civil War. Following a defeat at Richmond, VA, the Confederate forces tried to outrun the Union troops and get to waiting reinforcements in North Carolina. Instead, Lee's men ended up trapped by General Grant's army. The week culminated with Lee's surrender at Appomattox Court House. Stark frames this war vignette effectively for young readers. While calling the events a "footrace" may not do justice to the horrors of war, it is a creative way to present the information. The text is folksy and conversational, but quotations are not directly attributed. The author is respectful of both Grant and Lee, and depicts the soldiers on both sides as having more in common than not. The illustrations are a great strength. Rendered in watercolor, the inclusion of gouache and casein gives the hues a vividness and depth not always associated with the medium. The soldiers look strong and determined, in victory and defeat. Stark's attention to detail means that the famous "silent witness," a doll left in the parlor before the generals arrived, appears in the background of a spread that shows them shaking hands. Report writers will need a more straightforward approach to the topic, such as Andrew Santella's Surrender at Appomattox (Compass Point, 2006), but this book has appeal for the many children who enjoy reading about the Civil War or who may be visiting the Appomattox Court House National Historical Park.—Lucinda Snyder Whitehurst, St. Christopher's School, Richmond, VA

Gr 3–5—Five chapters in each book present simple explanations followed by a "Now I Know!" question that tests readers on the information presented. As well as explaining how honey is made, Bees describes how the insects help to pollinate flowers. Chameleons provides general information as well as a more detailed explanation of how lizards change color. Moon also discusses the planets in our solar system. Lastly, Spiders explains the differences between those bugs and other arachnids, and how and why they spin webs. One or two large, well-captioned color photographs are provided per spread. Each book concludes with an activity. Solid introductions.—Maren Ostergard, King County Library System, Issaquah, WA

Gr 2–4—Simply written, short paragraphs of large-print text offer basic facts about these animals' lifestyles. Bugs surveys six kinds of common insects, describing how their wings function to help them obtain food or water, attract mates, deter predators, etc. Included are honeybees, grasshoppers, crickets, dragonflies, beetles, and butterflies. Penguins describes the physical and behavioral characteristics shared by all the flightless birds; special characteristics of a few species; habitats; natural enemies; diet; and care of young. It depicts the macaroni, Humboldt, Galapagos, gentoo, Fiordland, and emperor penguins. In both titles, a large, clear color photo of one or more representative animals in natural surroundings faces each page of text. Extended captions identify most of those shown by common names and offer additional facts regarding characteristics or habitats. Both texts are clearly written, but some of the glossary definitions are unhelpfully vague. Separate introductions to the same kinds of insects describe their wings more thoroughly-for instance, Joyce Milton's Honeybees (Grosset & Dunlap, 2003) and Emily K. Green's Grasshoppers (Children's Press, 2006). Numerous titles on the perennially popular penguin have more material on physical characteristics, such as Lisa Magloff's Watch Me Grow: Penguins (DK, 2004); Laurence Pringle's Penguins! Strange and Wonderful (Boyds Mill, 2007) also discusses more species than the Stout title.—Karey Wehner, formerly at San Francisco Public Library

PreS-Gr 2—Straightforward explanations for newly independent readers. The books provide helpful information and reassurance about common health concerns. The large, colorful cartoon illustrations are active and depict children of various ethnicities and both genders. The first book addresses the purpose of dental visits, what to expect, the dental exam and tooth cleaning, and cavities. The second title covers the causes and effects of allergies and treatments and reassures youngsters that they don't have to be left out of school activities. Sidebars in each book ask questions about children's personal experiences and thoughts, which can be used as discussion starters. Each title ends with an extensive note to parents, with practical advice for lessening anxiety about going to the dentist and helping children cope with allergies. Solid additions for most collections.—Lynda Ritterman, formerly at Atco Elementary School, NJ

PreS-Gr 1—A thoroughly successful presentation on how even small changes in lifestyle can make a big difference. On each spread, a large and colorful acrylic painting is accompanied by a sturdy die-cut flap and eco-friendly tips. Each suggestion opens with "I," followed by a verb, such as "remember," "try," and "always." The sentence is completed under the flap, along with a reason why the tip is conservation friendly. The recommendations are those that children can easily relate to, such as turning off the water while brushing your teeth (which can save 18 glasses of water), using both sides of the paper, recycling, etc. Visually appealing and effective in its presentation, this title will serve as an introduction to environmental studies. Its appealing visuals and large size make it perfect for group sharing. Slightly older students or report writers might find Gail Gibbons's Recycle! A Handbook for Kids (Little, Brown, 1992) or Paul Showers's Where Does the Garbage Go? (HarperTrophy, 1994) useful.—Michele Shaw, Quail Run Elementary School, San Ramon, CA

Gr 2–5—This hilarious collection of poems about food stretches the imagination and vocabulary. Young picky eaters are confronted in the title poem with the possibility that "If cotton candy, apple pie,/And French fries looked at you/And said, 'Gross! Blecchh! Nope, I won't try./I'll never like it. Ew!'" kids would say, "'Hey! That's no fair!/Give me a chance!'" Varying in length and form (four lines to a sonnet to a two-page poem), the poetry is fresh, funny, and challenging, including words like "pernicious," "prehensile," "unminced," and "blanched." Full-color and sometimes delightfully bizarre mixed-media illustrations offer clever asides ("Nuts!" declares a nut, and "Pea brain" announces a pea), goofy perspectives (from inside a mouth, for example), and amusing visual scenarios. In "Mom," readers might laugh out loud at the re-created scene from Goodnight, Moon, this one featuring praying mantids: "I ate your father. Yes, it's true./That's what we praying mantids do./His last words to me were 'Adieu./If only I could eat you, too.'" This is a winner that kids will love.—Lee Bock, Glenbrook Elementary School, Pulaski, WI

Gr 3—5—Look! lies somewhere in between Bob Raczka's No One Saw (Millbrook, 2002) and Antony Mason's A History of Western Art (Abrams, 2007). Each spread introduces a different technique, such as "strong lines" and "leafy lines" and shows a work of fine art demonstrating it, reproduced with clarity and in full color. Occasionally, the text defines artistic techniques, such as perspective and shading. Each spread has kid-friendly ideas for making one's own creations; the suggestions range from simple (breathing on a windowpane and drawing a line with your finger) to intricate (designing a bridge). There is a wide range of dates for the art featured, beginning in the 1600s and ending in 2003. The text describes how each piece was created and includes some anecdotal stories about the artist and the work. However, it can be puzzling: for instance, in a scene depicting Jesus praying while Judas and his soldiers advance to arrest him, the first line of text reads, "What an astonishing landscape!" Ultimately, however, this is an accessible introduction to art history. A concluding section gives a bit more information about the artist next to a small reproduction of the featured art.—Laura Lutz, Queens Borough Public Library, NY

K-Gr 3—In this retelling of "Little Red Riding Hood" set in China, two squabbling sisters are left alone while their mother goes shopping. A tiger in disguise pretends to be their Auntie; Big Sister is suspicious of his deep voice and his orange and black hands, but Little Sister lets him in. He offers a treat to the one who will fan him, so Little Sister pushes her sibling out of the room to get it for herself. The tiger eats her, but the older girl is able to trick him and save her sister. The children's rivalry is set aside as they tell their mother of their adventure. Bright, energetic illustrations done in jewel tones bring this story to life. The cunning tiger with his large head, bulging eyes, and small pointy teeth is scarcely contained in three of the spreads. Pair this story with Ed Young's Lon Po Po: A Red-Riding Hood Story from China (Philomel, 1989), with its dark, menacing images, for an interesting storytime. This retelling will resonate with youngsters.—Mary Jean Smith, Southside Elementary School, Lebanon, TN